WILL we see its like again? I refer to the sort of public inquiry that’s just concluded into plans to build a second bridge across the Mersey between Runcorn and Widnes.

Friends of the Earth fear the new Independent Planning Commission quango will take strategic infrastructure projects of national importance away from local hearings. It would make a mockery of the Government’s commitment to devolving more decision making to local people.

Not that the existing inquiry system is perfect. On a hot day last week, the Mersey Crossing inspector went on what he hoped would be a quiet site visit. He was looking at the areas in Runcorn and Widnes where the approach roads to the new bridge would be built. He was besieged by local residents who wanted him to take note of their concerns. The perspiring inspector told them he couldn’t take evidence on the hoof and they should have come to the Stobart Stadium to air their views formally.

I went there to hear the concluding speeches of what has been an historic inquiry. Historic in the sense that it ended much earlier than expected when the normal pattern at these events is time overruns and mounting legal bills. It has been suggested that the early finish was because people were generally content with the scheme.

One man who was not placated was John McGoldrick, of the National Alliance Against Tolls. He told the final session of the inquiry that, not only would the new bridge be tolled, but the existing one, too. He said it would be the first time a previously free bridge would be subject to tolls.

The big success for Halton Council, which wants the bridge, was the wooing over of Warrington. Their neighbours had been worried that motorists seeking to avoid the controversial tolls would divert through the already congested town. Indeed, the hard working Lib-Dem candidate for Warrington South, Jo Crotty, was frequently pictured near the existing Silver Jubilee Bridge pledging to oppose tolls.

Then her Lib-Dem colleagues, who are the main ruling party in Warrington, undermined her campaign by doing a deal with Halton. Ms Crotty was “extremely disappointed”. She’ll live to fight another day; after all, she’s had a boost from the surprise retirement of sitting MP Helen Southworth at the next election.

The inquiry may have been quick, but will the decision be likewise? Tony McDermott, the leader of Halton Council, told me he hopes the inspector will deliver his verdict by Christmas, with the Government giving the go-ahead before ministers become immersed in the general election.

Cllr McDermott believes the scheme can deliver thousands of jobs and the regeneration of Runcorn and Widnes.

But he should not despair if he has to wait for a possible incoming Tory government. Chris Grayling, the shadow minister for Merseyside, told a Downtown Liverpool event last week that he realised there was controversy over tolling, but expected the second bridge to go ahead.